World leaders together with Sir Keir Starmer, Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron have arrived in Rome forward of the funeral of Pope Francis.
A minimum of 250,000 folks have taken the chance to view the 88-year-old’s casket as he lay in state over the past three days in St Peter’s Basilica.
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Pope’s coffin sealed forward of funeral
A livestream contained in the basilica which had been broadcasting since Wednesday was stopped on Friday night for the closing of the coffin, which was described as a “private act”.
An open-air funeral will happen in St Peter’s Sq. at this time, which will probably be attended by world leaders together with the UK prime minister and US president, in addition to the Prince of Wales, who’s attending on behalf of the King.
It stays to be seen whether or not Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the funeral. He had been anticipated to attend however Ukrainian embassy sources have instructed US reporters he will not be there.
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A minimum of 250,000 folks visited the Pope as he lay in state. Pic: AP
The funeral service usually lasts round two-and-a-half hours and can principally be carried out in Latin.
Francis’s beginning nation of Argentina will probably be seated first, earlier than Italy, a Vatican spokesperson has stated, after which reigning sovereigns will probably be seated in alphabetical order however within the French language, adopted by heads of state.
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The Vatican’s grasp of ceremonies covers the face of the Pope with a silk material earlier than closing his casket. Pic: AP
He stated the occasion can be “exactly the same Catholic rite as everyone else – just on a grander scale”.
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Mr Trump and his spouse, first woman Melania, will probably be seated forward of the British authorities’s delegation, which incorporates Sir Keir and his spouse Victoria, in addition to Overseas Secretary David Lammy. Prince William will sit with Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon as he isn’t a reigning monarch.
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Monks and safety personnel collect in St Peter’s Sq. forward of the funeral. Pic: AP
After the funeral ceremony, the Pope’s stays will then be taken by way of the streets of Rome as his physique is dropped at his favorite church, Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, the place will probably be interred in a easy underground tomb.
The Vatican stated a bunch of “poor and needy” folks will probably be current on the steps resulting in the basilica to pay their respects.
Scaffolding has been erected to present worldwide media the very best vantage factors overlooking St Peter’s Sq. for the funeral whereas there’s a sturdy Italian police presence managing numbers and safety.
